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OS X 10.10 Yosemite: The Ars Technica Review
Siracusa's overview, wrap-up, and critique of everything new in OS X 10.10 Yosemite.
- GenresNonfictionTechnology
120 pages, ebook
First published October 16, 2014
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18 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
November 2, 2014
I have read every one of Siracusa's epic OS X reviews since 10.5 on. Lately they provide my feature overview before I get around to installing the actual update; this year is no different. One of the best values he brings to these is his history with Macs - he can connect the past and present like few other Apple observers.
This review's section on Extensions, with callbacks to the Classic era, was interesting because of my own fond and frustrating memories dealing with extension conflicts on System 7 through Mac OS 9. The absolute highlight of this review, and I say this in part as a computer scientist, is his overview of the new Swift programming language, and how it fits into the Apple ecosystem and developer toolchain. The technical detail he gets into with intermediate languages and type systems is fascinating. The future in that regard is particularly exciting, and I hope to find time to work in Swift myself soon.
I read the iBooks version of the review, but I would recommend the Ars Technica web version for a couple of reasons. First, John himself considers that the canonical version. Second, it has better image layout and some dynamic content demonstrating the various interface changes. Third, the reference links provide important context, and are easier to jump out to on the web than leaving the iBooks app on an iPad (especially on a poor A5-powered mini that likes to swap the book out of memory as soon as you open a link in Safari). I read the web version up until last year's Mavericks review, but now I see that the iBooks experience, while an easy purchase, is an inferior read of (almost) the same content.
Obviously I am a Siracusa fan, so I'm predisposed to like his analytical style, but I also appreciate his Mac cultural references sprinkled throughout, like titling his conclusion using a quote from the "1984" commercial for the original Macintosh. If you are interesting in exactly what you are getting by upgrading your Mac's operating system this year, read this.
This review's section on Extensions, with callbacks to the Classic era, was interesting because of my own fond and frustrating memories dealing with extension conflicts on System 7 through Mac OS 9. The absolute highlight of this review, and I say this in part as a computer scientist, is his overview of the new Swift programming language, and how it fits into the Apple ecosystem and developer toolchain. The technical detail he gets into with intermediate languages and type systems is fascinating. The future in that regard is particularly exciting, and I hope to find time to work in Swift myself soon.
I read the iBooks version of the review, but I would recommend the Ars Technica web version for a couple of reasons. First, John himself considers that the canonical version. Second, it has better image layout and some dynamic content demonstrating the various interface changes. Third, the reference links provide important context, and are easier to jump out to on the web than leaving the iBooks app on an iPad (especially on a poor A5-powered mini that likes to swap the book out of memory as soon as you open a link in Safari). I read the web version up until last year's Mavericks review, but now I see that the iBooks experience, while an easy purchase, is an inferior read of (almost) the same content.
Obviously I am a Siracusa fan, so I'm predisposed to like his analytical style, but I also appreciate his Mac cultural references sprinkled throughout, like titling his conclusion using a quote from the "1984" commercial for the original Macintosh. If you are interesting in exactly what you are getting by upgrading your Mac's operating system this year, read this.
October 18, 2014
John Siracusa will be another illustrious name in the Pantheon of All Things Geek. I'm surprised he was not included in "Ready Player One". His reviews are the best, most complete look into a shinny, just rereleased OS. He helps all who come and reads. From the advanced non-Mogul to the Mogul who just bumped into something magical and knows not about it.
Those Moguls find good tips and hidden wonders inside each OS. Not surprisingly you see the water-downed versions of his tips all over the net just a few days later but the ones in the know, know where it came from.
Is it worth it buying the ebook, kindle or PDF ... Yes! Even better is to support ArsTechnica keep a good man doing a great job. So go subscribe and get the ebook free!
Who should read this. Well everyone that uses a MAC should already know. Ok so you are a Mogul and this is the first review you see. Believe me, look around. Nothing better out there in a timely manner always released the day the OS comes out.
Enjoy your Mac read @Siracusa reviews.
Those Moguls find good tips and hidden wonders inside each OS. Not surprisingly you see the water-downed versions of his tips all over the net just a few days later but the ones in the know, know where it came from.
Is it worth it buying the ebook, kindle or PDF ... Yes! Even better is to support ArsTechnica keep a good man doing a great job. So go subscribe and get the ebook free!
Who should read this. Well everyone that uses a MAC should already know. Ok so you are a Mogul and this is the first review you see. Believe me, look around. Nothing better out there in a timely manner always released the day the OS comes out.
Enjoy your Mac read @Siracusa reviews.
October 17, 2014
As they have touted, the only one review of Yosemite that you need to read.
Those three chapters on Swift were both a pleasant surprise and offered some great insight into how Swift could prove to be a productive language while being sufficiently fast. I seem to see it competing with Golang in not-so-distant future, two languages backed by rivalling technology giants.
Those three chapters on Swift were both a pleasant surprise and offered some great insight into how Swift could prove to be a productive language while being sufficiently fast. I seem to see it competing with Golang in not-so-distant future, two languages backed by rivalling technology giants.
October 20, 2014
It should have been called "The Fanboi Review": entire chapters dedicated to *GASP!* new icons, for the love of God…
December 19, 2015
Very good review of OS X 10.10 Yosemite.
October 20, 2014
Another outstanding review of the latest Mac OS. I particularly enjoyed the discussion of the design philosophy of the Swift programming language.
October 26, 2014
If you are thinking of upgrading to Mac OS 10.10 Yosemite, read this first.
October 27, 2014
Yet another comprehensive AND comprehensible review from the inimitable John Siracusa.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews